Crunch time for Cipriani

The British

& Irish Lions

Tour to New Zealand 2017

Crunch time for Cipriani

Danny Cipriani is set for crunch talks with the Melbourne Rebels as his future in Australia hangs in the balance.

The 23-year-old fly-half was reported to have walked out on the club but the Rebels themselves have rubbished those rumours.

Australia's newest Super 15 franchise have admitted, however, that talks are currently taking place between the Rebels management and Cipriani's representatives with a view to resolving a number of disciplinary issues.

"There are discussions taking place between the administration and Danny's management that will hopefully be resolved today and that will decide Danny's availability for selection," said the Rebels assistant coach Damien Hill.

"It's not ideal, but that's the way it is at the moment. There are issues that need to be resolved and that's being handled by the administration."

Cipriani was forced to sit out his side's recent two-week tour of South Africa as he and team-mate Richard Kingi broke a team curfew after a loss to the Waratahs in Sydney in late April.

The suspension followed previous warnings about his conduct after the ex-Wasps playmaker was fined for reportedly taking a bottle of vodka from a Melbourne nightclub.

Cipriani has since been linked to a return to the UK, with Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld claiming his club had been approached by the former England international's representatives.

The result of today's meeting looks set to decide whether a return to the Aviva Premiership will be on the cards next season or if Cipriani will see out the remainder of his two-year contract Down Under.